Method of and apparatus for packaging fresh whole fruits and the like



E FRUITSl AND THE LIKE Oct. 11, 1938. H. PAXTON ET A1.

ND APPARATUS Foa PACKAGING FRESH wHoL Filed April 24, 1935 METHOD 0F A 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 1l, 1938.

H. PAXTQN ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING FRESH WHOLE FRUITS AND THE LIKE Filed. April 24, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 .ONORSNOWNHNNO H. PAXTON ET AL oct. 11, 193s..

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR Filed April 24, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Y o 3 Q NS MS y Nw g w mm.. mm. \\N\\N ha. MS m5 ff? ms .l 1 m 0 O H.,PAxToN ET AL 2,132,516

METHOD OF ND APPARATUS FORPACKAGING FRESH WHOLE FRUITS AND THE LIKE oct., 11, 193s.

Filed April 24, 1.935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 e, a f

wlw a /Pf 4 im, H5, JQ a Patented Oct. 11, 1 938 UNITED STATE METHOD OF AND AGING LIKE nell, slgnments, to F corporation 12 Claima- Our invention relates to the packaging of fresh vegetables and fruits and has particular utility where crates are overiilled with such and thereafter lidded l lid bulging upwardly.

Such packs are known as filled packs and the pressure necessary to force the lid against the product frequently damages the latter if it is of a tender or perishable nature. In the fresh apple and citrus fruit shipping industries, one of the most common sources of decay of the fruit en route to market is damage done to the product by Ithis lid pressing operation.

It is accordingly an object of our invention to provide a method of and apparatus for packaging fresh fruit and vegetables which will eliminate the aforementioned source of decay and yet permit the. continued `use of crown packs in packaging such commodities.

Other objects are to provide such a method and which will prevent the. damaging of citrus fruit against the center partition in a tothe lidding ofwith the produce and the crown".or overwith which it is vide such an apparatus means for operating the same; to provide a novel flushing mechanism for use in such an apparatus; and to provide a novel article conveying and controlled delivery mechanism.

The manner in which the foregoing objects are accomplished as well as further objects and advantages will be made manifest in the following description taken in connection with the accom- Danying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of our invention. A Fig. 2 is a Vhorizontal sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view illustrating the details of the control mechanism on the prepresser.

Fig. 4ais a fragmentary diagrammatic view taken in the direction of the arrow la in Fig. 3 illustrating the neutral position of the overthrow mechanism controlling the elevating of the elevator table in the prepresser of the invention.

Fig. 4b is a view similar to Fig. 4a. showing said overthrow mechanism positioned as when the said table is being lowered. 4

Fig. 4c is a figure similar to Fig. 4a showing` said overthrow mechanism positioned as when the latter is causing the elevator table in the prepresser to be elevated..

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on of Delaware Application April 24, 1935, Serial No.

products y s' PATENT fori-ICE APPARATUS FOR PACK- FBESH WHOLE FRUITS AND THE n, sanza' Ana, and chester E. o'non- Placentia, Calif., assignors,

ood Machin by mcsne asery Corporation, a

theline 5--5 of Fig. 1 and illustrating the flushing orgathering mechanism of the prepresser in extended or open position.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 5 illustrating said gathering mechanism in inward 5 or closed position in which it gathers overflow product inwardly from over the vertical walls of the box.

Fig. 'I is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 1--1 of Fig. 1 and illustrating the preferred form of center guard for shifting fruit and the like away from over the center position in an overfilled box.

Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 8--8 of Fig. i and illustrating the mechanism for controlling the discharge stop in'the prepresser.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 2 and illustrates the situation where a box has just been received into the prepresser and cometo rest between the end stops.

Fig. 9a is a fragmentary view illustrating the shifting of the stop operating cam when a box enters the prepresser just preceding the situation shown in Fig. 9. i.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 and illustrating the situation which exists after the elevation of the table has started in the prepresser with the gathering members partly moved inwardly.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 10 illustrating the situation which exists after the gathering members are moved entirely into their inward or closed position and after the center 'guard has engaged the center partition of the box but before the pad on the compressing plate has engaged the upper layer of fruit inthe box.

Fig. l2 is a view similar to Fig. i1 illustrating the completion of the pressing of the fruit in the box in the prepresser, showing how the upper layer is given an arched contour and all the fruit pressed down into the box without damaging the fruit.

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of a modified form of center guard adapted to be used in the apparatus of our invention, this view showing the center guard collapsed and just after it has entered the space immediately above the partition of the box. y

Fig. 14 is a view similar to- Fig. 13 showing the aforesaid modified form of center ,guard in expanded condition over said centerpartition.

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Figi 9 illustrating the controls only with the prepresser table coming down and showing the ejector dog shifting 2,132,516 the box and the discharge `stop lto position the copending application are side usher shafts 48, latter over the operating cam therefor. the shaft carrying no ilushers however, but in- Flg. 16 is .a fragmentary operation view iiiusstead lateral box centralizers 49 and longitudinal trating the situation at the instant of completing lthe downward movement of the prepresser table in progress in Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line |1-|1 o1' Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 15

the numeral 20. lid pressing, nailing chine chine 36 and a strapper head 31.

The nailing table 33, a plan view of which is shown in Fig. 2, includes end cross bars 40 having upright guide bars 4i at their opposite ends for sliding within vertical angle iron members 43 Mounted between the bars 45 is a box ejector and stop mechanism 52; The mechanism 52 includes" a discharge stop ing of this nel: to reduce its length.

The stops 51 and 5l mounted on a shaft which are supported (Figs. 1, 2, 19 and 20) are lla, the opposite ends oi.' on the'tabie bars 40. The

The ejector and stop mechanism 52 also n- 75 cludes an ejector spring 52d, coiled about the shaft 52a and anchored at its forward end adjacent the collar 52b. The opposite end o! the spring 52d connects to a block 52e slidable on the shaft 52a. and 'carrying an lejector dog 52! which is constantly spring pressed into its up- Wardmost position as shown in Fig. 1. Pivotally mounted on the block 58a is a chain pulley 58h over which a chain 58e, connected to the block 52e, extends, this chain passing downwardly as shown in Fig. 15 and connects to a spring means 58d mounted on the frame 32 ofthe lidder 2|. The spring means 53d takes up the slack in the chain 52e when the tableA 33 is in its downwardmost position and as the table rises with the box disposed between the stops 51 and 58, the chain 58o compresses the spring 58d to its limit and then pulls the block 52e with the ejector dog 52]' thereon in a lei'tward direction until thisA dog is free to be spring pressed upwardly opposite the rear end of the box as shown in Fig. 19. Thus, when the box is freed from the longitudinal centralizers 50 and from the stop 51 by the outward swinging oi the shafts 48, `the power of the spring 52d is released against the box through the ejector dog 52j in ejecting the box from the lidder 2|, this returning the dog 52j and spring 52d to the condition in which these are shown tical alignment with in Fig. 2. a

Pivotally mounted on the inner race oi a downward extensionirom the iront one of the longitudinal bars as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is a spring pressed latch having a lug 56 (Fig. 20) extending inward therefrom, positioned to be engaged by a box entering the machine 2|, rocked about its axis and then disengaged by said `box before rest upon the table 33 in its proper position. Leading from the discharge end o! the machine 2| is a section of roller conveyor 59.

'I'he prepresser 22 has a frame 62, a vertically reciprocable table 63 and a table elevating power unit 64, all of which are identical with the corresponding parts of the lid nailing and strapping machine 2| with the exceptions to be noted hereinafter.

Mounted upon upper ends of four angle iron corner posts 65 of the framev 62 is a presser plate assembly 66 including longitudinal bars 61 and 68 which are connected rigidly by angle iron beams 69 and v'center guard frame plates 10. Flexibly suspended at the lower end of threaded rods 12 are halves 13 of a compresser plate 14, there being a gap 15 ends of said half plates 13. This gap is in verthe space between the plates 10. The rods 12 are slidable vertically in apertures in the .angle ironbeams 69 and their vertical position is adjustable by means of lock nuts 18 on their upper ends. Coiled about the rods 12 between shoulders 11 at their lower ends and the beams 89 are expansive springs 18.

Secured to the lower face of each of the plates 13 is a relatively thick soft rubber pad 19.

Mounted for vertical sliding movement upon the plate 10-(Figs. 1 and '1) is a center fruit guard 80, the latter having a soft rubber body 8| which is properly reenforced by a metallic or wood core 82 and supported by a stem 83 comprising a pair of plates secured to opposite faces of the body 8| by a bolt 84 and extending upwardly between the plates 10 and guided thereon by four rollers 85 and prevented from downward movement by a pin 86 on the upper end of the stem 83. Pivotally secured to the body 8| this latch beingA the latter comes to between adjacent inner i are clevises 81 which extend upwardv through apertures in rotatably mounted slide blocks 88 and carry expansive coil springs 89, the effect of which is to continually urge the body 8| downwardly. From the foregoing description, it is clear that the centerguide extends downwardly through the gap 15 between the individual presser plates 13 and is yieldable upwardly whenever the resistance of the springs 89 is overcome. It is also to be noted that the presser plate- 14 and the thick soit rubber pad 19 provided upon its lower face presents a concave, or downwardly arched lower surface 90.

. As above stated, the nailing table .63 is supported on and vertically reciprocable by the .power lows: end bars having upwardly extending :guide arms 96 and connected by longitudinal bars v31 and 98, between which are mounted rollers 99,

there being an ejector and stop assembly |00 mounted between the bars 98 which is substantially like the assembly 52 excepting as to the means of operating the discharge stop |0I.

The ejector and stop assembly |00 (Fig. 3) includes a shaft |05 which is supported as by having its opposite ends welded upon the end bars oi the table. This shaft supports a block |06 ilxed thereto, said block carrying a chain pulley |01, underneath the bar |05, and a box rebound stop |08 pivotally mounted on said block and yieldably spring pressed upwardly into the position in which it is shown in Fig. 3. Fixed upon the shaft |05 adjacent the opposite end of the table 63 is a spring anchor collar ||0 towhich is anchored a heavy contractible spring which iscoiled about the shaft |05. The opposite end of this spring is connected to a slide block ||2 on which is pivotally mounted an ejector dog H3, this being yieldably urged upwardly. into lthe position in which it is shown in Fig. 3 by a small concealed spring on saidslide block.

The frame 62 (Fig. 3) includes a longitudinally disposed channel iron member ||5 and a iiexible chain H6 extends from the slide block ||2, over the pulley |01, and downwardly through a suitable aperture in the member ||5 Where itis yieldably held by a spring means ||1 (Fig. 9).

Extending downwardly from one of the longitudinal bars 91 as shown in Fig. 8 is a spring bracket finger |24. As shown in Fig. 3, the discharge stop|0| has a lhub |26 which, with a strong, stiff compression springv |21 is trapped on the shaft |05'between the adjacent end bar 95 anda stop collar |28. As shownin Fig. 8, the hub |26 has a downwardly extending bearing arm |29 which is. aper'tured to receive a stub shaft |30 onv which a cam rolle'r I3| is rotatably mounted. The bearing arm |29 has a lateral extension |32 which is connected by a contractile 15 l unit 64 in the ,same manner as described in the f section are bearing blocks |41' which carry a shaft |48 having mounted thereon a cam supporting rocker |49. The rocker |49 has arms |50 which slidabiy support a cam |5| as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5, 8, 9 and 10. Light coil springs |52 on the arms |50 maintain the cam |5| against cap screws |50a screwed into the ends of arms |50. The rocker |49 also has an arm |53 which extends upwardly within the structure of the table 33 when this is in its lowermost position and is engaged by a horizontal surface on the latch 55 whenever the latter moves downwardly with the table 33 into its lowermost position as shown in Fig. 1. Whenever the arm |53 is disengaged by the latch 55, the rocker |49 rocks by gravity owing to the Weight of cam |5| so as to lower the latter into its lowermost vposition in which it is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8.

The table 63 has ilusher shafts |60 which are. actuated in identically the same manner as illustrated in the rst of the aforementioned copending applications, that is by rollers |6| and cam tracks |62 (see Fig. 8). These shafts have upwardly extending arms |63 carrying lateral box centralizing members |64, longitudinal box centralizing members |65 and side ilusher blades |66.

Pivotally mounted on opposite ends of each ilusher |66 is an end ilusher |68 having an operating arm |69 which is connected by a link |10 to a. goose neck |1| formed on the upper end of the adjacent table guide member 96. When the table 63 is elevated and the rollers |6| strike the cams |62, the shafts are rotated, swinging the flushers |66 inwardly. The goose necks |1|, of course, move upwardly with the table 63 and, with the inward movement oi the flushers |66, the end iiushers |68 are swung into end flushing positions as shown in Fig. 6 by the links |10, the end flushers reaching these positions just as the side flushers |66 reach their full inward ilushing positions shown in this figure.

The table 63 also carries an apertured upward limit control finger |15 (Figs. 1 and 3) and .a downward limit control cam |16. Carried on the inner face of one of the longitudinal bars` 99 of the table 63 is a. low voltage box delivery control switch |11 (Figs. l, 2 and 3) having a switch finger |19.

Extending forwardly from the channel frame member ||5 (Fig. 3) is a frame bracket |00 and a switch control shaft |8| .isv pivotally mounted between this bracket and a member |92oi' the frame l62. The control ann |6| has arms |55, |86, |81, |88 and |99 provided thereon. The arm |85 is connected by a link |90 (Fig. 1) to an eye |9| which surrounds the steml |92 of a switch |93 which controls the power elevating mechanism 64 and which is constructed and operates in exactly the same manner as the corresponding switch in the first above mentioned copending application. The stem |92 has collars |94 and |95 which are disposed above and below the eye |9|.

The arm. |96 connects to the lower end of a control rod |96 (Fig. l) which extends upward through the aperture in the finger |15- and has its upper extremity guided vertically by a guide |91 provided on the overhead frame plate 61 as shown in Fig. 1. The rod |96 has an upward limit collar |98 provided thereon as shown in Fig. l, the position of this collar on the rod |96 being adjustable, and being adapted to be engaged by .the upward limit finger |15 on the table 63 as this table approaches its upwardmost to halt the downward movement of the table 63.

The arm |89 is connected through a link 200 with a full bell crank 20| which is in turn connected by a link 202 to a. lever 203 pivotally mounted on a bracket 204 which is supported on the channel member H5. The upper end of the lever 203 has a dog 205 pivotally mounted thereon as shown in Fig. 3, this dog being yieldably heldby a spring 206 in the position shown. The arm |99 has a pin 2|0 at its lower end which is connected by a contractile spring 2|| to a pin 2|2 provided on the bracket |80. Also provided on this bracket are stops 2|3 and 2|4.

The box conveying and feed mechanism 23 is best shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and includes a horizontal belt conveyor system for collecting the packed boxes to be handled in the apparatus 20, this system being represented by the conveyor 220 and being driven by a motor 22| connected to this conveyor. This motor is controlled by switches 222 and 223 having arms 224 and 225 which are positioned as shown in Figs. l and 2 so as to be engaged by boxes travelling upon the conveyor 220 and upon a short section of idle conveyor 221 located between the conveyor 220 and the machine 22. 'Ihe lmotor 22| is driven by power transmitted through switches 222 and 223 with the latter connected in parallel so that this motor runs continuously excepting when both arms 224 and 225 are engaged by boxes as `aforesaid to deenergize the motor 22|.

Mounted so as to extend slightly above `the uppermost surface of theidle roll conveyor section 221 just at the entrance to the machine 22 is a feed roller 230 which is power driven by a motor 29|, current being supplied to said motor through the switch |11, the motor being deenergized whenever the arm |19 is depressed by a box resting on the table 63. Owing to the necessity for the table 63 to reciprocate vertically in the operation of the machine 22, switch |11 is, of course, connected to the motor 23| through a flexible cord.

Operation the feed roller 230 is rotated by its motor 23|.'

As boxes B travel along the conveyor 220 onto the idle roll conveyor section 221 so as to extend onto the feed roller 230, this feed roller picks up the foremost box somewhat and delivers it at an accelerated speed onto the table 63 of the machine 22. The rapidity of this delivery causes the box, upon engaging the discharge stop |0| to compress the spring |21 measurably as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9, and as the inertia of the box is overcome, the latter is repelled back against the stop |08 which in the meantime has been lifted by its spring into position at the rear of the box. With this rearward movement, the box also engages the dog 205 and shifts this rearwardly thereby rocking the lever 203 to swing the lower end of this forwardly and, through the linkage 200, 20| and 202 andthe arm |88, rocking the shaft 18| to swing the overthrow arm |89 from the position in which it is shown in Figs. 3 and 4a to the position in which the latter arm is shown in Fig. 4c. It will be noted that in this movement of the arm |89 the axis of spring 2| I is shifted across the axis of the shaft |8|to bring the arm |89 against Astop 2|3 so that the spring 2|| now retains the shaft|8| in the position into which it was just shifted. This rotation ofthe shaft |8| lifts upon the link |90 and the eye 19| (see Fig. 1) so as to lift on the collar |94 thereby drawing upwardly thestem |92 of the switch |93. 'Ihis actuates the switch to set in motion the elevator mechanism 64 thereby starting to move the elevator ktable 63 upwardly. Owing to the fact that the springl 2|I holds the arm |89 in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 4c this upward movement of the table 63 will now continue until some positive force has been applied to throw out the switch |93.

As'box B moves onto the table 63 and over the switch |11, it engages the switch arm |18 and shuts off'the motor 23|, thus stopping rotation of the feed roller 230. Any box delivered onto the conveyor section 221 therefor while the box B is still resting on the table 63 will merely come to rest with its forward end resting on the roller 230 as box B is shown in Fig. 1. When resting in this manner, the foremost box has moved entirely off the conveyor 220 so as not to interfere with continued operation of the latter. When in this position, the foremost box engages the arm 225 and swings it so as to shut off the switch 223. If,` while this box remains in this position, another box arrives at the discharge end of the conveyor 220-so as to engage and swing the arm 224 and shut off the switch 222, this deenergizes the motor 22| and causes the conveyor system terminating with the conveyor 220 to be halted. I'his halting of the conveyor 220 continues until the foremost box is subsequently delivered into the machine 22, as will be described hereinafter.

It is to be noted in Fig. 9 that when the box B arrives in the machine 22, the fresh whole fruit F is packed therein in a series of layers so that the uppermost layer extends considerably above the top of the box and overlies the sides and ends of the vertical walls of the box as well as a metal partition P thereof. The pack illustrated in the drawings is that of oranges which are very snugly packed in the box in alternate layers of a uniform geometric pattern prescribed by the regulations of the California Fruit Growers Exchange. The snug packing of the fruit in the box in this manner renders it extremely difficult to press a lid on the box without damaging the upper layer of the fruit by the pressure of the flat unyielding lid thereagainst. As above forestated, it is an object of this invention to provide a method 'and apparatus for accomplishing this compression without injury to the fruit.

As the table 63 rises, engagement of the rollers |6| with cams |62 as shown in Figs. 8' and 10, causes the side and end flushers to be rotated inwardly so as to eventually reach their flushing V layer and presses thesedirectly downwardly as,

shown in Fig. l2 giving a uniform arch to the upper layer of fruit in each` of the boxes thus treated. Furthermore, this is accomplished by applying pressure to a substantially extensive arcuate area on each of the pieces of fruit in the upper layer. The length of the period over which this pressure is applied to the uppermost layer of fruit in achieving the compression shown in Fig. 12 and the amount of pressure thus applied is determined by adjustment of the nuts 16 on the threaded rods 12 and by the positioning of thecollar |98 on the control rod |93 so as to select the height to which the table' has been lifted before the switch |93 is reversed thus causing the elevator mechanism 64 to cease elevating the table 63 and commence drawing the latter back downwardly. Y

While the side and end ilushers completely protect the upper layer of fruit from being damaged the pressing operation just described, they do nothing against the fruit being pressed against the center partition P. The center guard 80, however, becomes inserted into the space just above the center partition by the upward movement of the table 53 as shown in Fig. 10. With further upward movement of the table, the rubber body 8| of this guard is expanded as shown in Figs. 11 and 12 so as to completely shift adjacent pieces of fruit away from over the partition P. The center guard 80 accommodates itself to the upward movement of the box by the yielding of the spring 89 shown in Fig. '1 and the upward sliding of the stem 83 between the plate 10 and rollers 85. As the table 63 returns downward, the

`center guard, of course, gradually collapses to its original condition as shown in Fig. 9 and is then In Fig. 13, we have shown a modified form of center guard 240, which is mounted on a plurality of rods 24| which are supported in blocks 242 provided on the center guard supporting plate 10. Ihe upper ends of these rods are adjustably held in place by set screws 243 and their lower ends are provided with rollers 244 above which is a collar 245. The rods 24| support a pair Aof flusher plates 246 and 241 which are pivoted together at 248 and which have interfltting fingers 249 at their lower ends. A semi-cylindrical leaf spring 250 has apertures receiving the rods 24| and extending downwardly around the upper ends of the flusher plates 246 and 241, inner grooves in these plates tend to keep the latter collapsed together as shown in Fig. 13. Coiled about each of the rods 24| is an expansive spring 252 which vcontinually urges the springs 250 downwardly. Fig. 13 shows the insertion of the guard 240 into the space just above the partition P between adjacent pieces of fruit, the guard at this time being in completely collapsed condition. Fig. 14 illustrates the condition of the guard 240 with the box in its uppermost position. Shortly after contact of the partition P with the lower end of the guard 240 shown in Fig. 13, the upward movement of the partition causes the complete expansion of the metal plates 246 and 241 into the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 14.

During the subsequent upward movement of the box, the members 246 and 241 and the leaf spring 250 merely move further upwardly on the rods 24 I, this of course compressing the spring 252. The

rods 24| do not move vertically, but are held in flxed'positions determined by the positions of the nuts243. Upon the return downward of the box, the springs 252 cause the plates 24'6 and 241 and associated parts to follow the partition downwardly until they are supported on the collar 245 in collapsed position as shown in Fig. 13.

As the table 53 rises, the spring means I|1 shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is compressed and then draws downwardly on the chain IIS to draw the slide block I|2 leftward and stretch spring III. This carries the ejector dog II3 to the left as shown in Fig. 10 until it comes up underneath the reversal stop |08 oppositel the rear end of box B. As the elevator table starts downwardly, the

dog |I3 is shifted by the spring I against the rear end face of box B and the fact that the box is as yet trapped longitudinally by centralizers |65 and the presence of stop 0| in the path along which the box must be ejected, prevents further contraction of the spring for the time being. As shown in Fig. 15, the centralizers "i4-|35 and flushers IGS-453 are withdrawn from their embrace with the box B as the rollers IBI roll downwardly from 01T the lower sloping portions of the cams |62.

With this release of the box B from all restraint but that of the stop ||l|, the powerful pressure exerted against the box by the spring compresses the weaker spring |21 between the discharge stop I| and the adjacent end bar 95 of the table 63, this movement of the box taking place a short distance before the table 63 reaches its lowermost position. This shifting of the discharge stop |0| along the shaft |05 vshifts the roller |3| longitudinally to position it above the cam |51 with the result that as the table 63 completes its downward movement, the roller |3| engages the cam I5| on its cam surface |5|A which rocks the discharge stop |0| about the shaft |05, this resulting in the release of the box B, as shown in Fig. 16, followed by the ejection therefrom by the ejector |00, so as to impel this box over the idle conveyor |45 and into the machineV 2| as shown in Fig. 18.

As the box enters the machine-2|, it engages latch 55 and swings it forwardly thus shifting the lug 55 on the latch 55 (Fig. 20) away frolm over the arm |53 of the cam rocker |43. This disengagement permits the weight of the cam |5| (Fig. 18) to rock the rocker |43 to lower the cam |5| out of operative relation to the roller |3| on the stop I0 However, at the very instant the stop ||l| is rotated downwardly away from in front of the box B, as shown in Fig. 16, the spring |21 expands to push the stop |0| inwardly into contact with the collar |23. Thus, when the box B has passed over the stop the roller |3| on said stop is not only rendered free from cam |5| by the lowering of the latter as aforesaid, but is also now out of alignment with this cam by the response above noted of the stop |0| to the spring |21. The stop I lll is thus doubly free to respond to its normalizing spring |33 which returns the stop to its upright position as shown in Fig. 18.

From the foregoing, it is clear that the delivery of a box onto the table 33 in the lidder 2| disengages the latch 55 from the cam rocker arm |53 lso as to permit the cam I5| to drop into its inoperative position relative to the stop IUI. It is likewise clear that the cam |5| must be raised into operative position before a box may again be discharged from the prepresser 22.- The only way in which the cam I5| can be thus raised is by the elevation of the table 33 of the liddlng machine 2| a sufiicient distance sothat on its return downward the lug 56 on the latch 55 will engage and rock the cam rocker |49 to lift the ca rn |5|.

' of the table 33 would take place.

A reciprocation of the table 33 having this effect may be accomplished by manipulating the pedal 35, of course, Without liddlng a box resting on this table. However, in the normal operation of the apparatus 20, no such partial recprocation Instead, each time a box is delivered to the machine 2| and is centralized longitudinally by the stops 51 and 58, the operator, after placing al lid L in the machine and inserting a strap in the strapper head 31, steps onthe pedal 35 causing the elevating mechanism 34 to lift the table 33 against the nailing heads 36 and the strapper head 31 so as to apply a lid to the box with the ends of the lid engaging the ends of the box, nail the lid ends to the box ends, place the strap over the middle oi' the cover, and secure the ends of the strap to the sides of the box. When this is accomplished, the operator releases his foot from the pedal 35 which automatically results in the reversal of the motor in the elevating mechanism 34 thereby withdrawing the table 33 downward to its lowermost position as shown in Fig. 1. 'I'he stop 51 is rotated out of stop position with the downward movement oi' the table 33 by suitable linkage connecting this stop to the iiusher shafts 43, and the longitudinal box centralizers 50 are also withdrawn by the rotation of such shafts to nonimpeding positions as shown in this figure, whereupon the ejector dog of the mechanism 52 ejects the lidded and strapped box from the table 33 onto the gravity conveyor section 59.

\ Whenever a complete reciprocation of the table 33 takes place in liddlng a box. a return of the table to itsdownwardmost position as shown in Fig. 1 always results in the lug 56 on the latch 55 engaging the cam rocker |49, this lifting the cam |5I into operative position. Whenever this occurs, of course, a lidded box is just being ejected from the table 33, leaving the latter ready to receive another box to be lidded. If, when the table 33 thus moves downwardly, the table 33 of the prepresser 22 is in its downwardmost position with a box resting thereon and waiting to be ejected therefrom, the upward movement of the cam |5| resulting from the return of the table 33 to its lowermost position will cause the cam ing the box rapidly from the machine 22 into the y machine 2|.

As shown in Fig. 9a, Whenever the cam |5| is in raised position at the time a box is being received into the prepresser 22, engagement of the box travelling at considerable speed with the discharge stop I0| compresses the spring |21 and moves the roller |3| into contact with the cam |5| so as to shift the latter longitudinally on the cylindrical arms |50 on which this cam is mounted, this movement of the cam causing a slight compression of the coil ysprings |52 surrounding said arms. With the expansion of the spring |21 to return the box backwardly against the stop |08, the stop |01 and the cam |5I return substantially to the positions in which these are shown in Fig. 9.

'citrus fruit into said compartments, in complementary layers of uniform geometrical pattern the uppermost layer extending Well above the top of the box and overlying said partition, shifting and holding the pieces in said upper layer away from over said partition, simultaneously applying a substantial downward pressure `to` practically all the pieces in said upper layer to compress said product downward in said box and impart an arched conformation to said upper layer, applying a lid across said upper layer to conform thereto, and securing the ends of the lid to the ends of said box. i I

2. A method of packaging fresh Whole pieces of citrus fruit in a standard citrus box divided into two compartments by a middle partition 'which comprises snugly packing said pieces of citrus fruit into said compartments, in complementary layers of uniform'geometrical pattern the uppermost layer extending well above the top of the box and overlying said partition and outer walls of said box, shifting and holding the pieces in said upper layer 'away from over said partition and inwardly away from over said outer walls of said box, simultaneously applying a substantial downward pressure to practically all the pieces in said upper layer to compress said product downward in said box and impart an arched conformation to said upper layer, applying a lid across the said upper layer to conform thereto, and securing the ends of the lid to the ends of said box.

3. In combination: means to compress in a box an over-filled pack of whole fresh fruit or the like and impart to the upper layer thereof an arched conformation; means for thereafter applying a lid over said upper layer with the ends of said lid against the ends of said box and with the middle of said lid bulging upwardly to conform to said upper layer; and means automatically operating in timed relation with the discharge of a box from said lid applying means to transfer a box from said compressing means into said lid applying means.

4. In combination: means 'to compress in a box an overlledvpack of whole fresh fruit or the like and impart to the upper layer thereof an arched conformation; means for thereafter applying a lid over said upper layer with the ends of said lid against the ends of said box and with the middle of said lid bulging upwardly to conform to said upper layer;I means automatically i delivering a box into said compressing means in response to the discharge of a box therefrom; means automatically actuating said compressing means in response to the delivery of'a box thereto; and means automatically operating in timed relation with the discharge of a box from said lid applying means to transfer a box from sad compressing means into said lid applying means.

5. In combination: means to compress an overffilled pack in a box containing yfruit or the like when said box is delivered to said means; means for receiving said box from said compressing means and applyin-g a lid to said box with the ends of said lid against the ends of said box; and means automatically operating in timed relation with the discharge of abox from said lid applying means to transfer a box from said compressing means into said lid applying means.

6. In combination: means to compress an overlled pack in a. box containing fruit when said box is delivered to said means; means for receiving said box from said compressing means and applying a lid to said box with the ends offsaid lid against the ends of said box; means automatically delivering a box into said compressing means in' response to the discharge of a box therefrom; means automatically actuating said compressing means in response to the delivery of a box thereto; and means automatically operating in timed relationv with the discharge of a box from said lid applying ymeans to transfer a. box from said compressing means into said lid applying means. i

' '7. In combination: means to compress in a box an overlled pack of whole fresh fruit yor the like and impart to the upper layer thereof an arched conformation; means for automatically gathering portions of said pack inwardaway from over vertical wallsof said box and holding said portions thus during said compressing operation; means for thereafter applying a lid over said upper layer with the ends of said lid against the ends of said box and with the middle of said lid bulging upwardly 4to conform to said upper layer; and means automatically operating in timed relation with the discharge of a box from said lid applying means to transfer a box from said compressing means into said'lid applying means.

8. In combination; means to compress an overfllled pack of fresh whole fruit in a box without injuring said fruit and to provide the upper portion of said pack with a predetermined arched conformation; means for applying a lid across the upper end of said pack and securing the ends of said lid to the ends of said box; manual means for controlling the operation of said lidding means; and control means automatically functioning to cause said compressing means to perform its operation on an overfllled pack in a box prior to the delivery of said box to said lidding means and after the performance of said compressing operation deliver said box to said lidding means in timed relation with the operation of the latter. v 9. In combination: a table; a yieldable far-end stop on said table; means to feed a box onto said table at sufficient speed to cause said box to contact said end stop and cause said end stop to yield, stop said'box, and then return said box rearwardly; means for halting said return movement of said box; means for performing an operation on said box; and means actuated by said return movement of said box to set in action said operation performing means.

10. In combination: a table; stop means for vpositioning an article thereon; means for elevating said table to perform an operationon an article carried thereon and for returning said table downwardly to its original position at the conclusion of said operation; means responsive to the proper positioning of said article on said table to start the elevation of said table by said table moving means; and means responsive to the completion of said.' operation to initiate the return of said table downwardly by said table moving means.

11. In combination: a table; stop means for positioning'an article thereon; means for elevating said table to perform an operation on an article' carried thereon and for returning said table downwardly to its original position at the table to start vthe elevation of said table by said table moving means; means responsive to the completion of said operation to initiate the return of said table downwardly by said table moving means; and means for automatically ejecting said article from said table as said table returns to its downwardmost position.

12. A method of packaging fresh whole citrus fruit and the like which comprises: packing the product into its box with the individual pieces thereof snugly pressed into said box ina plurality oi superimposed layers, alternate layers of which are placed in the box in the same regular geometric pattern. the uppermost layer extending well above the top of said box; moving the outer edge pieces of said uppermost layer -of fruit inwardly from over the vertical walls of said box and holding said edge pieces o i fruit thus inwardly disposed; applying a substantial pressure ward compression oi' said fruit; relaxing said pressure from said uppermost layer of fruit; applying a lid in arched conformation across said upper layer of fruit and in contact therewith; and seeming the ends of said lid to the ends of said box.

HALE PAXTON. CHESTER E. O'DONNELL. 

